A YouTube animated song channel for kids, Jamil and Jamila, was launched in Toronto on Sunday, October 6th by Nayla Media at a special event held at the Islamic Institute of Toronto.
“The purpose of the Jamil and Jamila channel is to spread joy and to spread happiness amongst our children and families and to inspire our children to become great human beings,” said Jawad Jafry, Founder of Nayla Media, at the launch event.
“The channel will also share the humanity of us all to be able to help other people see what we truly stand for. Jamil and Jamila is the first step and we will take other steps with your help for children of various ages.”
“Today is the launch of Jamil and Jamila,” added Jafry.
“We’ve three types of animated songs that we are sharing for children – one is about education to help our children learn more about our religion; the second bracket is to share values, to share our values with our children but also with children of all backgrounds, and the third bracket is for general audiences, a safe space where children of all backgrounds can enjoy our content as well.”
The launch event was held in conjunction with the MuslimFest and Islamic Institute of Toronto (IIT) and included a showing of the beautifully animated songs, live performances by popular artists Irfan Makki and Nader Khan, and kids were treated to balloons and special gift items.
A team from MuslimFest, North America’s largest Muslim arts festival, was also on hand to share their vision for the future of the festival.
Jawad Jafry, the creator, director, writer and co-star of the acclaimed children’s series “Adam’s World”, founded Nayla Media.
Content for Children
The Jamil and Jamila channel features content that children and parents can watch together – songs about family, kindness, gratitude to God, as well as funny, silly songs and timeless children’s classics.
Jamil and Jamila are twin ocelots that are the mascots of the channel. Ocelots can be found in places like the Amazon rainforest, a habitat that is being threatened by deforestation.
According to Nayla Media, the choice of ocelots is to remind us all that these beautiful creatures, along with many other life forms in the region, are now facing danger at the hands of human beings.
The new channel will feature animated songs that Muslim children, as well as children of all backgrounds, can enjoy.
Popular artists such as Irfan Makki, Nader Khan, Omar Lunan, Adnan Srajeldin and Mustaqeem have recorded songs for the Jamil and Jamila channel that will be released weekly. A team of international animators working in 2D and 3D has created the visuals for each song.